Mid-90's 270 Sundancer Thread

Dave M.

New Member
TECHNICAL Contributor
Oct 9, 2006
874
Hermiston, OR
Boat Info
270 DA
Engines
7.4L, Bravo II
I thought I would start a thread about this boat. Not sure of the dates, but I think it was introduced in 1994, and lasted until 1997. Then in 98 and 99, it was produced in limited numbers and known as the 'Special Edition', as by then it had been replaced by a wider beam 270. (Dates updated per info from MLauman below.)

I have one, and I believe MLauman, gengiant, and skolbe have one also. It would be interesting to bring together information on the boats and modifications, such as extended swim platforms, stainless props, and so on.

Added per MonacoMike

1994-1997 270 Sundancer and 1998 and 1999 270 Sundancer Special Edition History

The number 270 has been used since the early 80s for various styles of boats manufactured by Sea Ray. The SRV 270 Sundancer moniker was used in 1982 for a 28 foot, 10 foot beam express cruiser. The 270 designation went through various changes in length and beam throughout the 80’s and into the early 90’s.

In 1994, a new hull design was released known as the 270 Sundancer. This design featured oval porthole windows that have become synonymous with the Sea Ray look and two glass hatches. This vessel had a 27’ 4” overall length and with the integral bow pulpit was 29’ 11”. Standard power was a Mercruiser 5.7 BII, with optional 7.4’s, diesels, and 4.3 twins. In 1996 and 1997, the 7.4 with BII became the standard power package. The BIII’s were always an option. In 1995, A/C was offered followed by generator packages in 1996. Each year the options list grew smaller, even while they added options, as most options were moved to standard features by 1997. The base weight grew from 6100lbs in 1994 to 6500lbs in 1997 as the options list grew.

In 1998, the 270 Sundancer became a 9’ 2” beam boat and the package described above became the 270 Sundancer SE. (The 270 now offered a separate dinette in the cabin and is the quickest way to tell it and the SE apart.) This SE boat did undergo some changes. The standard power went back to 5.7 BII with the optional 7.4 BIII also available; diesel and twins were no longer offered. Other changes were the complete loss of one of the glass fore deck hatches, while the VHF radio and many other previously standard features became options again.

The advertised weight remained the same for 1998 but dropped to 6200lbs in 1999, it is thought this was an oversight as the options were removed in 1998 not 1999. At this point, they were using this hull for a “price point boat” as evidenced by the advertising slogan; “Is it too much boat for the money? The competition thinks so”. The 1999 270 SE continued, as in 1998, but now had competition from the new 260 Sundancer as a large trailerable Sea Ray. 1999 was the last year for this hull design.
 
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I'm in! One small correction on the history - the SE was offered in 98 and 99 along with the wide body version which debuted in 98. The story I heard was that Sea Ray wanted to keep a 'trailerable' (defined as 8½' beam) cruiser in the lineup, but the 260 eventually took over that role.
I've done several major mods including genset and windlass installs and a bunch of smaller projects, but the one addition that has provided the most bang for the buck for us has been the extended swim platform. If you spend any time in the water you can't imagine what an improvement this makes. I won't go on too much about it since I already did in THIS THREAD.
On SRO, there was a fairly active 270SE owner who went by Island Trek (I think) with whom I collaborated on the swim platform. Haven't seen him here yet.
 
Thanks for the quick replies, guys! I have updated the dates in my first post. But I have one photo of a 10-96 build date boat identifying it as a 270 SE. Not sure what to make of that.

Now that I know how to make small photo links to larger photos, I hope to make some nice photo links.

Also coming soon, wiring diagrams of the breaker panel, the switch panel, and instrument cluster.

But first this morning I have to take my tractor over to my brother-in-laws and use the front end loader to help him get the front end loader off his JD 3010. His hydralic pump leaks about 10 gallons an hour, and he is ready to rip into it!
 
MLauman said:
I won't go on too much about it since I already did in THIS THREAD.

I see in that post the you were able to include pictures in line with the text that I presume you had already posted in another post. I am curious how you did that. In the 'Attachment Posting Control Panel' it says if you click on "Posted Attachments" then you can see files you have already posted. But I cannot find any such control button as "Posted Attachments".

Am I missing something here, or did you just go back and click the properties of the photos you wanted to put in line and add their URLs?
 
MLauman said:
I've done several major mods including genset and windlass installs and a bunch of smaller projects, but the one addition that has provided the most bang for the buck for us has been the extended swim platform.

I would really like to see pictures of your windlass install. I assume you had to replace the anchor locker door with something substantial to support the windlass.
 
I have never found an electrical wiring diagram for my model boat, the one this topic is about. So I have done some work figuringout the DC wiring at the helm, and getting it documented. Here is what I have come up with so far. There are likely some errors remaining, and a bit I don't know yet. Especially wire colors are hard to read. The Jack/Plug numbers are mostly assigned by me, as I could not read most, if any, of them.

The diagrams are too large to post here, so I will make them links that you can access by the small images following.

Just to be more clear, the images below are 'clicky', and when you click on one it will take you to the wiring diagram.



Please let me know if anyone finds any errors in these, or if you have more information about this. You will need to go to full screen mode and zoon in to 100% to see these clearly.
 
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out-n-aboat said:
I have a 1992 29, same boat as far as I know. Mine has a bravo 2 7.4 300 h.p

From your other post, it looks like you have figured out that you have a different boat. Yours is larger, and if I understand your post correctly, then it was between the 91 and 92 models years that they changed the model designation for your boat from a 270 to a 290. Maybe 270's before 1991 for a year or two were also the same boat.
 
Dave M. said:
Am I missing something here, or did you just go back and click the properties of the photos you wanted to put in line and add their URLs?

Apparently you are not missing anything! :wink: That is exactly what I did.
 
Dave M said:
I would really like to see pictures of your windlass install. I assume you had to replace the anchor locker door with something substantial to support the windlass.

I didn't replace the door - just sealed it shut. I installed a piece of treated 2x12 (about 2½ - 3' long) directly under the door extending as far forward and back as possible. I put a couple of screws in each end to hold it in place, but of course the big windlass bolts do the real work.

I'll try to get some pics, but unfortunately I did not take any during installation so there's really no way to see the underside.
 
Dave - excellent work on the diagrams, btw! :thumbsup: Wish there was a place to store things like that so they wouldn't 'fade off into history'.
 
Hi guys,

Back in the office from a long weekend at the coast and what do I see? You guys are having a 'party' without me! Well, glad I can be part of it. :thumbsup:

Mods to my 270DA include the extended swim platform (best $$ spent on the boat to date!), recently replaced windlass (I couldn't imagine hoisting a 24# Delta Quickset and 33' of chain by hand out of 80' of water!), multi-disk CD changer, inverter, full (new) custom camper canvas and carpet throughout cockpit and back step, crab pot pulling hoist (used to haul in dive tanks), 2 sets of fishing rod holders, GPS/depth finder, fixed-mount VHF radio, PUR water filter, 3rd battery (backup only), dual stainless fender cages up on the bow (ok, this is one of the more obscure improvements),.... I think that's it. She does have full heat and air and the macerator option.

She was re-powerd in 2000 with a closed cooling circuit 330 hp 7.4L Mercruiser and had the BR3 outdrive completely rebuilt in 2001 due to the previous owner running over a submerged piling. His insurance company also paid for the entire bottom of the boat getting re-glassed. To this day the hull thus looks almost new. :grin:

I've got a bunch of things to do on her this winter (mostly maintenance/repair type things), but am also looking forward to installing a raw water washdown pump. And one of these days I will actually find the time to put her in a friend's slip so that I can do maintenance work on the trailer (it's starting to show a bunch of rust). Btw., on the trailer I had to replace the bow/winch post and replaced the drum brakes with stainless disk brakes along with a new actuator.

It's just money, right?!?!? :smt101

Cheers!
 
MLauman said:
I didn't replace the door - just sealed it shut. I installed a piece of treated 2x12 (about 2½ - 3' long) directly under the door extending as far forward and back as possible. I put a couple of screws in each end to hold it in place, but of course the big windlass bolts do the real work.

Somehow I missed that there were new posts to this topic, just found them with the link that MLauman provided.

Did you have to remove boat interior to get the windlass power cables to the bow, or did you find a clever way to get them there?


><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>¸. said:
Mods to my 270DA include the extended swim platform (best $$ spent on the boat to date!), recently replaced windlass (I couldn't imagine hoisting a 24# Delta Quickset and 33' of chain by hand out of 80' of water!), multi-disk CD changer, inverter, full (new) custom camper canvas and carpet throughout cockpit and back step, crab pot pulling hoist (used to haul in dive tanks), 2 sets of fishing rod holders, GPS/depth finder, fixed-mount VHF radio, PUR water filter, 3rd battery (backup only), dual stainless fender cages up on the bow (ok, this is one of the more obscure improvements),.... I think that's it. She does have full heat and air and the macerator option.

Sounds like a very nice boat! Really wish I had the windlass too. What do you find are the benefits of the extended swim platform? Is it mostly of use when you are in the water around the boat, or would it be useful in cold water areas too?

You also mention carpet on the back step. Mine is in serious need of new carpet, and that is one area I don't have it, but wish I did. I think it would help keep from tracking a lot of sand into the boat.

Days are getting longer!
 
MLauman said:
Dave - excellent work on the diagrams, btw! :thumbsup: Wish there was a place to store things like that so they wouldn't 'fade off into history'.

Thanks! And I have wished the same thing, maybe a reference, or how-to section that works differently than the regular topic list.
 
Dave M said:
Did you have to remove boat interior to get the windlass power cables to the bow, or did you find a clever way to get them there?
Some - these were 2 very large (4ga I think) wires (plus 3 smaller 16ga ones for the bow switches). I ran mine down the port side as it was a shorter hop to the power source. I removed the front cabin sole cushion (3-4 screws) and I removed the lower section in the aft cabin (under the mirror). I was able to use a fiberglass snake to get behind the microwave, etc so I just had to pull the AC breaker panel to make the turn downward.

I installed a 50amp breaker and the solenoid in the DC power box in the bilge. Also required was a run of 16ga (x3) from the solenoid to the helm for the main switch. I was able to use a previously installed 'pull string' for that run. I have a habit of leaving a pull string in place anytime I forge new territory and it has paid off several times. There are string segments all over that boat!

We absolutely love having a windlass. I have the (Lewmar) Horizon 600FF.
 
Dave M. said:
What do you find are the benefits of the extended swim platform? Is it mostly of use when you are in the water around the boat, or would it be useful in cold water areas too?
For us, it is by far most useful while in the water. We spend 90% of our boating time anchored in a cove that's waist deep. It makes for a much larger and safer staging area and its alot easier to get on and off the boat due partly to being closer to the water.

As for non-swimming conditions I still think it provides a big improvement. I've said it in other posts, but its like adding a back deck or patio to the boat. It is easily big enough for a couple of deck chairs. I have a Magma grill that mounts on the back of the transom which works well with the platform. The new ladder is concealed under a flush door so you're not tripping over that old one anymore. It would prolly be great to fish off of - I don't fish my boat though.
 
MLauman said:
I removed the front cabin sole cushion (3-4 screws) and I removed the lower section in the aft cabin (under the mirror). I was able to use a fiberglass snake to get behind the microwave, etc so I just had to pull the AC breaker panel to make the turn downward.

We absolutely love having a windlass. I have the (Lewmar) Horizon 600FF.

What part is the front cabin sole cushion? I am beginning to think I could have a windlass too. It really would be nice.

I have never heard of a fiberglass snake. You get 10 points from catching me on that one! :smt038 I have a regular metal one that is a bear to wind and unwind out of the container. :smt013 Your comment does make me think I should disconnect all battery cables before I go poking a metal snake in some place I cannot see.

An aside issue, I looked at a nice new 290 DA last summer that the Spokane WA dealer brought to Tri-Cities for a small show at the local Costco there. The 290 had no windlass. According to the dealer, in the Spokane area most boating is in cold, deep water lakes (Pend O'Reille and Couer d'Alene), and a windlass does not sell. But in the local area, a boat that size should have a windlass.
 
MLauman said:
For us, it is by far most useful while in the water. We spend 90% of our boating time anchored in a cove that's waist deep. It makes for a much larger and safer staging area and its alot easier to get on and off the boat due partly to being closer to the water.
.

I see. Mine can be difficult to get on and off the boat in the water. Especially if you are trying to get off an air mattress or small inflatable boat or such. The rear of the boat is too high to make it easy.

Thanks for your comments. :thumbsup:
 
Dave M said:
What part is the front cabin sole cushion?
I'm probably mis-naming it, but I'm referring to the trim piece (coaming?) that runs along the deck-hull joint (rubrail) inside the cabin between the microwave cabinet and the anchor locker.

Edit: Sea Ray calls it the 'Muff, V-Berth Gunwale Port'.

Edit again: I think I like my name better.
 

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